Suffield's 'Chicken Chick' won't give up her chickens, despite cease-and-desist orde

08-24-2014 • Journal Inquirer

Zoning Enforcement Officer James Taylor issued the order to Mormino in June 2013 to have her comply with a town regulation that requires anyone raising poultry to have 5 acres of property, which would designate the site as a farm.

Mormino is raising more than 40 chickens at the home she shares with her husband, Thomas, at 519 South Stone St., which sits on 2.17 acres. The free-range chickens, which she raises mostly for their eggs, roam her entire back yard, which is fenced in. She also has three chicken coops.

Since she has not complied with the cease-and-desist order, the town, including Taylor and the Zoning and Planning Commission, has filed a lawsuit against her and her husband in Hartford Superior Court in an effort to enforce the order.

Taylor said recently that Kathleen Mormino is in the process of trying to purchase an additional 3 acres of abutting property in an effort to comply with the town's regulations. She is currently leasing those acres.

Kathleen Mormino, who is representing herself in the litigation, said "anything can happen" when it comes to buying additional land. She said there is no timeline for when she may be able to purchase the land.